Random Notes

The Beat was one of three on the panel of judges for the first Instaband Semifinal on Feb. 7. Instaband is a battle of the bands for high school acts sponsored by Groove U.

The Beat was one of three on the panel of judges for the first Instaband Semifinal on Feb. 7. Instaband is a battle of the bands for high school acts sponsored by Groove U.

Ten bands/artists performed, and four were sent though to the finals based on judging (with help from "City" from Power 107 and EOB and OAR trombonist Evan Oberla) and audience voting. Keep in mind that last year's Instaband winner came from the semifinal we judged, so ...

To help fill out the finals, you, too, can be a judge (although not, obviously, in as important a way as The Beat, but nevertheless), by voting for a wild card from the remaining six acts. Find out more at Instaband.org, where you can also get more details about the second semifinal set for Feb. 21 and the Feb. 28 finals.

This event has, both times, proved eye-opening regarding the kind of young talent central Ohio boasts, not to mention the variety of musical styles -- don't make assumptions.

Back in December, we gave you a heads-up about the Community Big Band the Jazz Arts Group organized during the holiday week.

If that band wasn't big enough, maybe you'd be interested in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's Side By Side program for community musicians. About 50 amateur musicians (age 25 and older who play an instrument in the standard orchestra instrumentation) will have the chance to rehearse, alongside CSO members and under the baton of FOTB (Friend of The Beat) Peter Stafford Wilson, on the Ohio Theatre stage on Wednesday, April 2.

The application period started Feb. 17. Those accepted will be notified Monday, Feb. 24, and must then submit a $100 participation fee.

Find out more at columbussymphony.com/education/side-by-side.

Steampunk Sondheim?

Dig Shadowbox Live's production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, which runs Sundays through June 8. Is there any doubt the twisted fairy tale story is ideal for the Shadowbox treatment?

As always, it's pick your poison at SBL, what with Foreplay and Madness and Lust also running.

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